Re: Hero Duet

Bro, the suspension on the activa 125 is very stiff. I would receive you to go for Jupiter or duet. Both the products are good. Take a test ride.

Re: Hero Duet

Thank you, but what about my other requirements?

Jupiter no, tall guy problems.

Re: Hero Duet

Took a test ride of Hero Duet, long test ride this one.

This quote is to address some of the misconceptions and my review of the 2017 model with AHO and BS4 engine.

Test ride distance - 12 km.

With and without pillion and me as a pillion.

Top speed reached during the ride - 74 kmph.

Road condition during the ride - broken roads, potholes, flyovers, inclines, smooth roads.

Traffic condition - heavy traffic, open roads, signal starts.

Fuel consumption - not known since I did not check how much fuel was already inside.

Firstly, the changes in 2017 model.

Visual changes - new colors, added graphics, new black cylindrical exhaust with grey/ metallic colored cover, no white surrounds on speedometer panel, digital fuel gauge. The absent headlamp switch is not sealed with a separate piece of plastic but is neatly a single piece one along with the rest of the body.

Engine - 8 HP (reduction from previous model) and 8.7 NM (increment from previous model) - Torque available earlier in the rev range.

What it's made of?

Plastics/ fibres - handlebar, headlamp casing and chest (where light, heat and wiring go), superficial area surrounding external fuel filler, area for placing legs ( you call it foot area or what?)

Metal - rest of the body, including the wheels which are 10 inch made of steel (tubeless tyres with integrated brakes) - prone to rust but only if left uncleaned and unused for months. Highly durable as evident from Activas that have been running for a decade now.

Space for riders and goods - suitable for tall riders? yes. Short riders? yes. Front space okay for placing a backpack without hindering your feet? yes, one needs to get used to it eventually as with any other scooter in order not to soil the bag. The footboard is wide too. Would have loved it if the front hook was a little higher. Can't keep bags on both the hooks at the same time as it will hinder leg space and soil the bags (can't imagine mud and dirt on groceries) :P But this is the case with most other scooters - hint - keep feet on rear pillion footrests like a squid. Pillion space and comfort is excellent. No fighting for space with rider. Underseat storage is more than sufficient but not shaped properly. Optional glove box - won't hinder leg space but can't keep anything else on footboard when it protrudes inside.

Engine performance - The new engine is what the scooter needs. With heavy rider and pillion on board, the scooter cleanly pulled and accelerated till the top speed I have mentioned above, on all types of roads (as mentioned above too). Acceleration is linear and unlike maestro edge, there are no surges/ snatchy throttle. Throttle response is effortless and precise. Greenlight starts are quick from a signal. It's not what the popular notion says, at least now. The scooter easily kept up with activa, alpha, jupiter and larger 125 ccs like activa 125 and access (both new and old versions). No strain in the engine but I do not know about the old engine. This is right for the scooter. There was even more left to throttle out after 74 kmph but road was not empty to test. Lastly, kick starter worked well too.

What is the problem with the engine? - a buzzy vibe which the service centre says will go after first service and long running. Need to check fuel economy.

Ride quality and Handling - Weaker and shorter people may find it heavy to balance the scooter at rest, but easy to get used to in one or two rides. Shorter people can place feet on ground. Start from rest is not at all jerky. In fact activa and activa125 feel rear heavy with pillion, this is amazingly made. Acceleration to overtake vehicles, with pillion, is effortless. Scooter doesn't feel rear heavy with pillion even when you have to flick to avoid potholes, even when you have to negotiate potholes. Low speed front feedback is good. Potholes are cushioned out at both front and back. Huge craters are negotiable without any bumpy ride. High speed front feedback is better, potholes' presence is felt but not felt harsh. Stability when going over potholes at high speeds with a pillion is much better than activa - also pillion can feel how cushier it is compared to activa - I personally have been a victim of activa's rear suspension once. It is also better than alpha. How it is different from access is that, access doesn't send shocks but is jumpy at such speeds when going over potholes. Whereas, duet's seat has a cushy layer on it's surface which makes it less jumpier and absorbs shocks to a great extent. Stability at low and high speeds are commendable. Taking U-turns with pillion is easy due to the smooth throttle response. Had it been for jerky throttle, the scooter's weight would have been felt and inexperienced people might drop the scooter, especially with a heavy pillion. They will need getting used to and doing things at a slower pace until then.

Normal cutting through traffic is so easy. Flicking it from side to side is also easy, the tyres grip well. Lane changing is also easy at all speeds. Just in case you rushed and an animal or pedestrian came in front, the brakes do a wonderful job. Integrated brake works well and the weight of the scooter helps in shedding speed. Front brake needs better feedback when applied alone - brake pads were not run in, in my test scooter. Otherwise, the bite is good.

Straight line low and high speed stability are great, the best part.

What's wrong with handling? People who are inexperienced in handling heavy scooters must get used to it when taking U-turns and when sitting on the bike at rest.

Using centre stand for weaker people needs getting used to as well.

Quality and features - I tried TVS wego, access, alpha and even jupiter. I can say, the plastics are better on Duet and Masestro edge. The metal used is better on duet in comparison to Wego. Honda's scooters have similar high quality plastics. I felt the sheet metal to be thicker on Duet than on Hondas. The metal and plastics are also put together in a better way. In comparison with Maestro, duet is built better. Maestro's fibre body has lots of gaps and don't give you the durable feeling, esp when going over potholes. This scooter if maintained properly and cleaned regularly, won't rust and will last like an activa. One crucial area where plastic quality and built can be better is the plastics surrounding the external fuel lid.

Features - centralised keyhole for fuel lid and seat. Also, if you lose both the keys, you have to apply for a new set with a specific serial number. If the key socket is damaged (in cases where thieves puncture the hole and pound the key area) you can replace it with a new socket system with specific keys of its own.

External fuel lid.

Boot light, very helpful when I left scooter in a dark parking lot.

In built USB 3 charger. Very helpful and even placed in a waterproof area, unless you open the seat with charger on during a rainy day.

Integrated braking is a boon given the bike's capabilities.

Side stand indicator - just why? No one will see the light lol a beep like sound could have been better.

Optional glove box - great if you're a family man.

Telescopic forks and rear suspension - people who go for activa should cometo duet just for this.

Pass light switch, although a separate switch could have been better.

Inclined brake lock.

Service due indicator - along with other indicators on a digital display

What's missing? Bigger wheels and alloys. The steel wheels will age well and will look good with aging metal body and paint job though. Look at older activas for reference.

Hero brand proposition - From the dealer - no flag day charges. Free accessories (not the mandatory one but additional)

From hero - 5 years or 50k km standard warranty (whichever is first) for all its scooters. Lol I think for my usage 5 years will be first, if I buy this scooter.

Good life - points in exchange of services which can be converted to benefits later on. Don't know what benefits though lol.

Service network.

Extra stuff for killer price in comparison to competition.

Who can buy this scooter? Not just for those who want to go from point A to point B. It's for everyone actually. It's dynamically proficient too - in fact reassuring than many other scooters. If you can have fun on older scooters and old gen activa, then you can have much more fun on this one. It's more likable for comfort rides around the town, for two people. People who are looking for long term ownership at low maintenance costs. It's made to last. A work horse. Leisure and safety are it's top priority. Looks are subjective so I wouldn't want mention it. One word for looks - you will blend in with the world on a broader look.

What makes me feel doubtful? Engine reliability and the expertise of service mechanics over the course of ownership. This is where you have to give an opportunity to the manufacturer. I like the idea of supporting an Indian manufacturer and this is the discussion going on at home with heavy contenders from foreign manufacturers in consideration.

There is also a lack of premium feeling. Both in terms of brand name and physical presence. Even next to maestro edge, it doesn't look that premium, so no comparison with other brand scooters.

Re: Hero Duet

Owners, what's happening with your duets? Reliable? Apart from [MENTION=61630]jeswin[/MENTION], all of you were complaining and planned to give it more time. How are your rides now?

Please share your experiences so far. Looks like jeswin has gone for the longest ride of his life with his duet.

Re: Hero Duet

hi, did you buy any scooter? Which one if yes?

Re: Hero Duet

Hi, New user here! I will share my ownership experience of Hero Duet 2016 - Gray color. Got it for wife, but since I have also ridden it for decent distance. Lets start at the beginning!
We bought the bike at my hometown since we had trouble getting all paperwork sorted in city. And so by the time the bike got the number etc., it was standing for 3-4 weeks after purchase. Battery drained and won't self start. Kick start worked though. Wife and me rode 350Km to city from hometown with kick-start at every stop. After coming here we took the scooter to ASC and the guys there kept it overnight for battery charging and that sorted out the battery.
Ride experience was good. Initial pick up was less than Jupitor - scooter felt sluggish till 30kmph. From there it could climb steadily to 70kmph. Suspension is great. Handling was decent, breaking was average. Engine has vibrations in low speeds till 30kmph, later it's smooth. But something makes the scooter vibrate like crazy at around 50kmph. I avoid this by sticking to 40kmph speed in city and 60+ on highways. Meh! But it works. Fuel efficiency is okay. After second service it's going by 45kmpl. At about 900Km we gave it for second servicing. Engine stalling problem started occurring after second servicing. Even after another visit it didn't go away completely. And this can be killer problem in city traffic.
After about 2400km the front shocks started leaking oil. The nearest ASC Pratibha Motors, didn't have replacement fork seals and their response was pathetic. Even after querying them for a fortnight - no fork seals. So I dug up another dealer a bit farther away. This is Sehgal Autoriders ASC. They had the seals so next day wife gave the bike there for Fork Seal replacement as well as servicing. After two days we got the scooter back. They had fixed the fork seals under warranty, adjusted the engine timing, tightened brakes, and changed oil. The whole thing costed about 450Rs. The scooter is running tight since. The initial pick-up has improved and is now comparable to Jupitor.
Recently did a 100km ride to Lavasa near Pune. The scooter ran great. Except after about 40km of non-stop spirited riding (50-60kmph) the engine overheated and we had to take a break. On return journey we rode non-stop albeit at low speeds of 30-40kmph, and didn't observe engine overheating.
So overall we are satisfied with the Duet and except for small nags like fork seal issue, engine stalling at idle issue, and latest - overheating on long rides issue, it's been a good experience.
The km in ODO as of now read 3600km.

Re: Hero Duet

at last, I get a response and thanks for that. Can you please tell more about the engine timing you mentioned above? What was done and why was it done? To improve mileage or pick up or avoid stalling?

I think this is a reliable scooter for city usage and will age well through the years. Worth the buy?

Also please mention your current mileage and post some pictures?

Trust me, service centres spoil the vehicles, otherwise right out of factory theyre good. Fyi, from my test ride, i can say, apart from buzzing vibrations, the scooter is capable of holding 70kmph even for highway rides provided mileage is compromised.

Re: Hero Duet

We got 1st servicing done after about 300km at my hometown at Mulraj Auto, Kudal, Dist Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. Back then the scoot was running okay. Since it's run in period we kept it below 40kmph.
The second servicing was done at Pratibha Motors, Thergaon, Pune. They did not do proper servicing. Post servicing the scoot started stalling at idle. Wife took the scoot to the ASC and they told her they had adjusted the timings for FE. But maybe they screwed that. Anyway, they adjusted the timings again and wife brought the scoot back. The idling stall was not gone completely and it stopped every once in a while. Also I noticed that they missed two screws of front plastic shroud. Also they didn't check the brakes since the brakes were not tightened. Doesn't speak good of their service quality.
Anyway then the front fork oil leak happened, and we ended up at Sehgal Autoriders, Pimpri, Pune. They seems to have done a good job of servicing. As I mentioned in my review - suspension fixed, idling stalling almost fixed, oiling done, brakes tight, suspension feels much better, scooter pick up much better - overall nice job I guess.

For city usage Duet is good if you don't mind the weight. My wife can't handle this for more than half-an hour. Gets tired in traffic. On highway/ open road she doesn't mind.
So far the metal body has held up okay. Some loose sounds can be heard now and then. But maybe that's something loose inside. I don't know. I'm waiting for the free services to get over. Then I'll take over servicing and go through the whole thing.
Duet looks like a good buy due to metal body, good engine, Hero's service network, and overall good product quality. But then again some like them light and sporty, and some like them heavy and steady. So each to his/her own.

Mileage as I said is about 45. Actually I have not done accurate test. But it seems to get good distance between petrol-pump visits. Will share pics soon.

I have not done much highway riding. But for whatever distance I rode it on highway, the scooter felt stable and not wobbly. Maybe that's the weight and suspension working together. Only thing that bothers me is how long can it go before the engine cooks up and you are forced to take a halt. For longer rides that can be a troubling point since you generally have limited time to make up the milestones. So maybe you will have to time your trip according to this scooter if you are thinking going long distance. At least due to the suspension and comfy seat the ride will be comfortable. I have seen guys do 400-500km a day on bikes - we did 350km in 9 Hrs on this - but then it was brand new and not tuned up for mileage or anything. Now six months later I'm not so sure.

One thing I would like to point out is about seat cover. Don't get rexin/synth leather material seat cover in hot/humid area. It'll cook your behind and make even smaller rides uncomfortable. Actually I was not aware of this point, but wife suggested we get a different mesh-like material made cover. This is not soft or anything, but it keeps your behind airy, and so avoids things getting sweaty/hot/itchy!! Two cheers for wifey!!

Re: Hero Duet

Well, I don't know if they played with the ECU or something when you said timing, and I'm still not sure. But I reckon they tuned the carb for better FE and idling speeds.

Thanks for the detailed usage. I will have to spend some time with the scooter. Right now I have access 125 in my mind too. So yeah. I can manage the weight since I ride heavier motorcycles too. This is for short trips within the city where I'd be riding 10 - 15 km in city traffic, one way and again back home.

I am not worried about the sounds you're reporting since you've had quite a bit of rough usage. So let's keep fingers crossed. You'd be a valuable contributor to this thread apart from [MENTION=61630]jeswin[/MENTION] and so please keep the thread updating and post some pictures too.

Thanks!

Re: Hero Duet

We had Access in mind, but saw a number of issues related to service and parts supply. So dropped it. Wife wanted fascino for the styling, but I convinced her for metal body. So she went for Duet instead.

Re: Hero Duet

why did you choose metal body? Any specific reason?

Re: Hero Duet

Heard from some friends that fibre body starts rattling due to our potholed roads, and sometimes is not covered in insurance.
To elaborate I have rode a one year old Yamaha Alfa with fibre body and a 8yr old activa with metal body. The Alfa was rattling a lot. As compared the activa was having only bit of in front area.

Re: Hero Duet

Well that's not always the case. Depends on the ownership.
Metal body when not maintained properly rattles a lot. On the contrary, fibre bodies rattle less, they also give way for cheaper replacements. Ofc, they're for rough usage and you can't expect to restore it like metal bodied vintage scooters.

Just witnessed a duet in an accident on the road. Yesterday, got a message from an XBHP user that his friend collided into a duet and it didn't hold well.

Re: Hero Duet

Update on the Bike idling stalling as well as jerking occasionally when riding
Did a bit of research on internet today regarding this and the probable cause looks like lean engine. Going to have to retune the engine better. A lean engine also heats up on long rides, which is what my observation have been. Lets see. Am going to try to retune the engine. Will update soon. And sorry for the pics, don't have a decent cam here. Will try and snap some tomorrow.
p.s. Going to have to tighten the brakes too. Wife was saying earlier the day, the brakes have become loose.

Re: Hero Duet

yes, you've noticed it right. Its a lean mixture. Thats perhaps what the service guys would have told as timing change. If the carb setting is right then the pick up, throttle response and idling problems will get resolved. Its very common. Mileage wont be affected that much. Heating will also reduce.

the scooter I got for test ride had loose front brake too. The front lever lacked feel. The showroom guy tightened it when i spotted it. The integrated braking worked well even when the front was loose. After tightening, the independent front brake worked well and integrated braking system was right on point.

No hurry, take your time to get pics and please keep the thread updated on changes you make to the scooter and mileage. Hope you're still getting a mileage above 45 kmpl. That's pretty much what 125 cc scooters report too. So I'm in a confusion whether I should go for this or a 125 cc scooter. I do not know the people who own this scooter personally so I cant comment on their handling and ownership. I would like to believe that the minor problems are because of this difference in ownership and handling and are not present in the scooter inherently.